Chuks

My beloved brethren, this is Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo. My heart is heavy. My eyes are filled with tears. Since hearing the story of little David Raymond, I have struggled to find the words. How can a 13-year-old child carry such unbearable pain? How can a boy wake up one morning and discover that the world he knew has disappeared? David lies on a hospital bed today, fighting for his life after a bullet ripped through his back and stomach, leaving him in unbearable pain. While doctors fought through the night to save his life, the bodies of his father, Raymond Maichibi, and his mother, Nanlop Raymond, were lowered into a mass grave alongside many other innocent people from their community. The most heartbreaking part is that David has not yet been told that his parents are gone forever. His loved ones cannot find the strength to tell him that he is now an orphan. Imagine the moment when that young boy opens his eyes, asking, "Where is my father? Where is my mother?" knowing that no one has the courage to answer him. David recalled that armed men entered their home in the darkness of the night. His father stood between death and his son. Like every loving father, he tried to protect his child with his own life. He was shot. His mother hid in fear, praying that somehow she would survive, but she too was killed. David tried to escape, but a bullet struck him from behind. What kind of pain is this? What kind of world allows children to carry wounds that no child should ever know? Our Lord Jesus Christ said in 16:33, "In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Today, I ask the Church across the world not to grow weary. We cannot become silent while our brothers and sisters continue to suffer. We cannot close our eyes while innocent children are left without fathers, without mothers, without homes, and without hope. The Word of God tells us in 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." David may have lost his earthly parents, but I pray that the God who calls Himself the Father of the fatherless will surround him with His unfailing love. May the Lord heal every wound in his body and every scar in his heart. Brethren, please remember David in your prayers. Pray for his surviving siblings. Pray for every grieving family. Pray for every widow. Pray for every orphan. Pray for every community living in fear. And as long as God gives me breath, I will continue to speak. They may say I speak too much, but how can I keep quiet when children are burying their parents? How can I remain silent when families are wiped away overnight? As the Lord declares in 31:8–9, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves... defend the rights of the poor and needy." May God comfort every broken heart. May He strengthen the weak. May He heal David Raymond completely. May He bring justice, peace, and hope to every suffering family. In Jesus Christ's mighty name. Amen.

Kidnapped Oyo Schoolchildren and teachers have regained their freedom